Joan Rivers Dead at 81

By Taylor Ferber

September 4, 2014 / 3:10 PM

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Joan Rivers

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Joan Rivers

Today, September 4, 2014, we lost comedic icon Joan Rivers. Despite being released from the ICU yesterday, TMZ reports the comedian has passed at 81, a week after she stopped breathing during throat surgery. We're still in shock over losing "a simple girl with a dream" who changed the world of comedy and made our days a little brighter.

Her beloved daughter and partner in crime Melissa Rivers released a written statement today, saying: "She passed peacefully at 1:17 p.m. surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mount Sinai Hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother."

Joan made her way into our hearts by taking things to levels no one else would dare go. She brought laughter to the world and touched the lives of many. In the 2007 throwback clip below, Best Week Ever's Sherrod Small helped Joan get back in gear to hit the red carpet.

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In recent years, Joan took her skills at hilariously crossing boundaries and jabbing A-listers to E!'s Fashion Police. As you see here, nothing, and we mean absolutely nothing, was off limits. And that's why we loved her.

Beyond Fashion Police, she's released tell-all books, had a one of a kind web show (In Bed With Joan), and been the subject of a documentary, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. We should have known the impact Joan would soon have on the world after seeing her discuss her boobs with Johnny Carson in 1986.

Al Roker, Kelly Ripa and Whoopi Goldberg are amongst the many celebrities who mourn the loss of Joan today.

My heart is broken. Joan Rivers RIP. Gone way too soon. All my thoughts & prayers are with Melissa & her family.

— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) September 4, 2014

RIP Joan. What a tough trailblazing lady. We've lost so much laughter this year.

— josh groban (@joshgroban) September 4, 2014

NOOOOOOOO.......... RIP Joan. You will be forever missed.

— Kelly Ripa (@KellyRipa) September 4, 2014

Thank you to Joan Rivers. She have us her all and it was a true pleasure.

— jenny slate (@jennyslate) September 4, 2014

In shock hearing that joan rivers died. She felt like someone who was ageless and would live forever. I still don’t really believe it.

— Bethenny Frankel (@Bethenny) September 4, 2014

Sending love to @MelRivers and family. What a life and what a woman.

— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) September 4, 2014

I HATE DEATH AND I LOVE JOAN RIVERS

— Chelsea Peretti (@ChelseaVPeretti) September 4, 2014

Joan Rivers. What an extraordinary life. Changed comedy. She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers for Melissa and Cooper. God bless them all

— Al Roker (@alroker) September 4, 2014

Sad day today hearing about the passing of the legendary Joan Rivers. The world is much less funny now. She was an inspiration.

— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) September 4, 2014

So sad about Joan Rivers. Felt lucky to see her live once at the West Bank Cafe. So funny. So gracious. Just funny in her bones. #JoanRivers

— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) September 4, 2014

My friend Joan Rivers has passed away once again to quote Billy Crystal... There are no words. Bon Voyage Joan 😢

— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) September 4, 2014

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]